The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) announced this week that it is sending an additional $2,453,819 for the state of Florida to reimburse Bay County Schools for management costs following Hurricane Michael, bringing total reimbursement to date to $65.6 million.
Hurricane Michael hit the Sunshine State back in October 2018.
The school district was reimbursed for costs of tracking, charging and accounting for emergency and permanent work after the storm, including debris removal, emergency protective measures, temporary facilities, vehicles, school building contents, supplies and equipment.
FEMA previously approved $63.2 million for the district’s Hurricane Michael-related expenses.
This grant is funded by FEMA’s Public Assistance program, an essential source of funding for communities recovering from a federally declared disaster or emergency. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) works with FEMA during all phases of the PA program and reviews projects prior to FEMA final approval.
Applicants work directly with FEMA to develop projects and scopes of work. FEMA obligates funding for projects after final approval.
Once a project is obligated by FEMA, FDEM works closely with applicants to finalize grants and begin making payments. FDEM has implemented new procedures designed to ensure grant funding is provided to local communities as quickly as possible.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies.
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